49 travelers at this place:

Another beautiful morning here in Malta, not a cloud in the sky and a lovely 24 degrees. We started the morning off with a lovely cuppa on the balcony. We haven’t got a sea or a pool view but they did change us from being in the lay by at the side of the road to a field view high up so it’s nice and quiet. We went down to the nerve centre en route to breakfast (Naomi’s room) before heading off for Sliema. We took Gemma and Joe today in our car and we’re thrilled when John pulled out first - we just followed him👍. The plan was to drive to Sliema then get the boat across to Valletta.

It’s a bustling busy harbour, and some spectacular scenery. We sailed across in the lovely sunshine before disembarking at Valletta. A brief walk up as what only can be described as cardiac hill with lots of shops and lovely viewpoints before stopping at the top. Half way up Max was set a challenge by Joseph, run up loads of steps for 10 euros, a bit of a family tradition and I have to say he did it spectacularly. Obviously Uncle Joseph had to tag along to show him who was boss but Max is certainly a front runner for the future and Uncle Joseph paid up. Such a lot to see as we carried on, beautiful waterfalls and stunning panoramic views. We stopped at the top for a cup of tea and a fag (minus the fag in honour of our sadly missed and much loved Aunty Jack). We were very lucky with the weather, absolutely beautiful. Our descent was very relaxed and we just ambled back to the ferry stopping now and again for a look at shops and all sorts of interesting places. Upon arrival at Sliema we stopped of at BK for snacks for Max & Joseph before departing back to our hotel. Once again John zipped out in front - however he took what can only be described as a wrong turn and my Jane guided us back nicely to our hotel. Well when I say nicely, she prefers fields to by passes but still landed before Team Naomi 😂😂.

Once back it was straight down to eat, I could get used to this all inclusive lark, a couple of beers to wash down the lunch. Then off to the pool with the kids. Had a good old catchup with my new little mate Izzy in the (not so) hot tub. It’s been pointed out to us by our 5 year old team member (said new mate) Isabella that for the last 2 days we’ve done what mummy wants to do first meaning that it’s getting late by the time what Isabella wants to do comes around and it’s nearly dark. So she’s put her foot down and we are swimming first in the morning, doing what Izzy wants to do first rather than what mummy wants, which seems only fair. I can’t really seem to find an argument so breakfast in swimmers in the morning it is.

A quick up to the room, shower then straight out for tea, I was a little concerned at the lack of a Nanna nap this afternoon but seemed to power through it. We were right on queue for the kids disco at 8.30 and no quiz tonight. Izzy and Max were sent back off stage with all the other children with the instruction of coming back with an adult. We thought it fitting to send Sharon, she thought we said she needed a camera so off she went 😂😂. This evenings entertainment was Phil, playing his guitar (or as our Gem pointed out his Aldi guitar cos the end was missing). He was actually very good. Had a good old sing song and bet Joseph a shot he wouldn’t dance with a few grannies but he proved us wrong. Switched from lager to Vodka tonight but they seem to mix the vodka and coke 50/50 so that zipped us along a bit. You know you’re getting old when you have to ask Max if he’s heard of Mylie Cyrus, when he said yes we had to explain that the song being sung was by her dad !!

So another fantastic day, not laughed so much in ages. Until tomorrow, goodnight. Ps it’s now my birthday but I’m knackered so until tomorrow 👍Read more

We sailed into the Grand Harbour of Valletta, Malta with enormous fortified walls of cream limestone surrounding the harbour. Very pretty from the water with the old cream buildings and fortifications highlighted against the blue sky and blue sea. Today we toured the Blue Grotto, limestone caves that capture the iridescent blue of the water. We had perfect weather with the sun shining for our small boat tour through the limestone caverns. The sun reflects the blue to give it the phosphorous blue colour. We travelled through various villages on our trip and noticed the land lots are terraced off into paddocks with the limestone rubble for the family plots for farming. The paddocks are terraced to stop the topsoil from washing away. One of their main crops, which is everywhere, is the Prickly Pear.
From the Blue Grotto we went to the second port of Malta, Marsaxlokk, a small fishing village that has brightly coloured boats and a marketplace that sells fish and local produce and has a number of small restaurants. We then headed back to our ship docked in Valletta.Read more

Today we went back to Surfside Bar & Grill for breakfast, where I had a huge omelette with chips and salad for only 4.50 euros. It's quite funny - their breakfast is half priced "early bird" before 11:30am!

From there we got the ferry over to Valletta and wandered around for the next few hours, exploring and filming. It's an interesting spot; since it was only founded in the late 16th century it's got a real Renaissance town planning feel about it - lots of straight streets and 90 degree angled intersections. A few big walls and fortresses still hanging around since it was a key military fortification in the Med for many years, but lots of interesting baroque palaces and facades too.

And funniest of all - red phone boxes and post boxes, same as in London! British influence sticking around longer than the statues of Queen Victoria!

Had a drink at a nice little cafe where a local sitting nearby fed Schnitzel some of his rabbit dish! Rabbit is a local speciality here on Malta. Ended up wrapping our filming by mid afternoon around 3pm then heading back home. Just had pastizzis from a nearby cafe for a light dinner - I still wasn't super hungry after my giant breakfast!Read more

The large groups of Maltese settling after the war lived around Matraville in the tin Nissan hut villages. It was near where Neil lived. The breeding of rabbits was common - as was the call “Rabbitohs” - hence the football team there! 😀

Charming day out to Caffe Cordina Valletta with Grace and Kirsty who are like peas in a pod!
Managed to succeed in my mission for a wedding gift, 🤗 just hope the colours compliment the outfits! 🤔
Watched a peaceful protest in honour of a journalist killed by a car bomb which they don't believe has been investigated thoroughly.

Bus trip to Valletta only takes 40 minutes, and they run every half hour. Bus drivers operate their own schedule so best to arrive at the stop at least 10mins early and make sure you wave to get them to stop! Valletta is a vibrant old town with incredible historical churches, lots of shops, people and touristy things to do. Took in the Malta experience which is a cinema show of the history and includes a tour of the Knights of St John Hospital . Came across the worlds largest crochet blanket which when complete will be distributed to the homeless. Will definitely be coming back here at weekends and evenings.Read more

,,,,around Valletta. What a marvellous opportunity to catch up with my niece Hannah who would recommend a 5 day diving course in Meilliah. St Johns Cathedral is incredible and definitely worth a visit.

Today I explored the capital city. It was beautiful! All the buildings are like a yellowy colour. You get this really rustic and authentic feel when you walk around the neighbourhoods. I didn't pay for any attractions today because I was in the mood to be outdoors. It wasn't actually that hot (compared to previous days) and the sun didn't shine much. After Valletta, I went to a traditional restaurant called Gululu to try some Maltese food. I had "fażola bit- ewm u t-tursin" which is basically beans with garlic and herbs. I also tried the "spagetti biz-zalza tal-fenek" which is rabbit with spaghetti. This was my first time eating rabbit. It tasted okay...kind of like a mix between chicken and lamb. But I didn't finish the food because they just put TOO much rabbit in there. Erm...I don't think i'd eat rabbit again.Read more

Because political instability caused Viking to cancel our port call in Tunisia, we get to spend an extra day just wandering around the lovely streets of Valetta. One of the high points of our visit today was a peek inside the Church of St. Paul Shipwrecked. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Paul found refuge here after his boat sank. The church is out-of-the-way, not too large, and absolutely beautiful inside. We also visited the Grand Master's Palace and its extraordinary collections of weapons it the armory.Read more